Intel acquires computer sensing company

Intel has announced the acquisition of Irish company Movidius. That company specializes in developing chips that allow computers to perceive their environment. Intel wants to support the development of its RealSense cameras with this.

Intel writes that with the acquisition of Movidius it will get a platform for SOCs with low energy consumption and high performance. Movidius claims its mission is to “provide computers with eyesight” and that it wants to work with Intel on ways for machines to perceive their environment in 3D. Until now, the company has collaborated with parties such as DJI, Lenovo and Google, for example in the context of Google’s VR project.

In addition to the SOCs, Intel also says it will get its hands on deep learning algorithms, on top of sensing depth and navigation. The company wants to use these techniques in the field of VR, augmented reality, drones, robots and security cameras.

Intel has acquired several similar companies in the past, including Itseez. This company is also specialized in machine vision. Another acquisition involved the company Nervana Systems, which works on deep learning algorithms. Among other things, Intel is currently working on a standalone VR headset with RealSense cameras under the name ‘Project Alloy’.

The exact terms of the acquisition have not yet been disclosed by the companies.